To switch to a nested tool, hold down the Shift key and press the tool’s shortcut key.

If the Shift key is an extra step you’d rather not use, modify your user preferences. Press Command+K (Ctrl+K) to call up your General Preferences screen. Deselect the check box next to Use Shift Key for Tool Switch.

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Thank you! The tip about holding down the shift key while pressing a tool’s shortcut key to cycle through the nested tools is a real time saver. I came from using Elements and in that world you just press the shortcut key multiple times by itself. I found that that didn’t work in Photoshop, but didn’t know that the shift key enabled that behavior. You’ve just brightened my day and sped up my work!

I tried turning off the Shift modifier for rotating through the tools, but I’d always get twisted and waste more time, because I’d hit, e.g., J, when I already had Healing selected, and it’d move to the next version of the tool. Requiring the Shift modifier keeps me in line and keeps me using the Healing Brush instead of accidentally moving to the Patch tool….

About Richard Harrington

Richard Harrington is the founder of RHED Pixel, a visual communications company based in Washington, D.C. He is the Publisher of Photofocus and Creative Cloud User as well as an author on Lynda.com. Rich has authored several books including From Still to Motion, Understanding Photoshop, Professional Web Video, and Creating DSLR Video.